, 1887-12-07

caused by SUCn tatlH becomes OnrOen
upon those with mod ,rate means and the
poor the employed and unemployed, the
sick and the well aud the young aud the
old, and that IL constitutes u tax which,
with relentless grasp, Is fastened upon the
clothing Oft every man, woman and child
IN the land, reasons are suggested why the
removal or reduction of this duty should
be included in the revision of our tariff
laws.
In speaking Of the increased cost to the
consumer OF our home manufactures re-
suting from duty laid upon imported
articles OF the same description, the fact Is
not overlooked that competition among
domestic producers has the effect Of keeping
the price OF our products below the highest
limit allowed by such duty, but II Is motor
i0us that this competition Is too often
strangled by combinations quite prevalent
at this time, and frequently called trusts,
which have for their object the regulation
Of the supply and price Of commodities
ma made and sod memSss' esaUIs
hardly hope for any consideration
in the operation Of these selfish schemes.
IT, however, In the absence of such combi-
nations, u healthy and free competition re-
duces the price of any particular dutiable
article of home production below the limit
which II might otherwise reach under our
tariff laws, and II, with such reduced prices,
its manufacture continues to thrive, 1t Is
entirely evident that one thing has been
discovered which should be carefully scruti-
nized to AN effort to reduce taxation. The
necessity Of combination to fnaiutain the
price of any commodity to the tariff point
furnishes proof that some one is willing to
accept lower prices of such commodity, and
that such prices are retnunerAtive, and lat
ter prices prove the same thing. Thus,
where either of these conditions exist,
case would seem to he presented for an easy
reduction of taxation.
WHY HE DwELIs on TARIFF.
The considerations wnicn nave been pre-
seuted tUNChing our tariff In IS are intended
only to enforce AN earnest recommendation
that the surplus revenues OF the govern
ment be prevented by the reduction of our
custom duties and at the same time To em-
phaslze suggestion that In accom- plishing
this pdrpose we may discharge double
duty To our people by granting to them
measure OF reliet from tariff taxation in
quarters where 1t is most needed, and from
sources where II can be most fairly and
Justly accorded Nor can the presentation
made of such consideration be. with any
degree OF fairness, regarded as evidence of
untrieDdlinesS toward our manufacturing
interests, or of any lack OF appreciation of
their value and importance. These interests
constitute leading and most substan tial
element Of our national greatness, and fur
nish the proof Of our country's progress.
That If in the emergency that presses upon
us our manufacturers are asked to surrender
something for the public good and to avert
disaster, their patriotisrH as well as "a CRATE
ful recognition of advantages already af.
forded should lead them to be willing to
corporate. No demand is made that they
should forego all the benefits of COVER
mental regard, but they cannot wait to
be admonished of their duty as
well as their enlightened self'interest and
safety, when they are reminded of the TACT
that a financial panic and collapse, to which
the present condition tends, afford no great
er shelter or protection to our manufactures
than to our other important enterprises An
opportunity for safe, careful and deliberate
reform is now offered aud none of us should
be uunindtul of - time when an abused and
irritated people, needless of these who have
resigned timely and reasonable relief may
insist upon IA radical and sweeping rectica-
ton of their wrongs. The difficulty attend
ing IA wise and fair revision of our tariff laws
is not under estimated. 1t will require on
the part oi congress
GREAT LABOR AND CARE,
And especially broad aud national con-
temptation OF the subject, and "A patriotic
disregard of such local and selfish claims AS
are unreasonable and reck less of the welfare
Of the entire country. Under our present
laws, more than four thousand articles are
subject to duty. Many of these do not in
any way compare with our own manufact.
ures and many are hardly worth attention
as subjects of revenue. \ considerable
reduction can be made in the aggregate by
adding them to the free list. Tue taxation
OF luXuries presents no features of hard
ships but the necessares OF life used and
consumed by all the people, the duty upon
which adds to the cost OF living in every
home, should be greatly Cheapened The
radical reduction of the duties imposed upon
M rial nspl In N ie4 ito fraa
importation Is OF course an important fac
tor in every effort to reduce The price of
these necessaries. 1t would not only re.
lieve them from the increased cost caused
by the tariff on such material but the man
ufActured product being thus oheapened
that purt OF the tariff now laid upon such
product as a compensation to our manu-
facturerS for the present price of raw ma
terial could be accordingly modified. Such
reduction on free importation would
serve besides to largely reduce the revenue.
IL is not apparent how such "a charge can
have any injurious effect upon our manu-.
faCturcrs. On the contrary it would appear
to give them u better chance in foreign mar
kets with the manufacturers OF other
countries who cheupcn their
wares by free material. Thus our people
might have the opportunity of extending
the limits OF home consumption, saving
them from the depression, interruption in
business and loss caused by glutted do
mestic market and atiording their employees
more certain and steady labor. with the re.
sulting quiet and contentment. The ques-
ton thus imperatively presented for solu-
tiun should be approached in spirit high.
er than partisanship, aud considered in the
light of that regard for patriotic duty which
should characterize the action of those in.
trusted with the veal OF confdng people.
But the obligation to declared party policy
and principle is not wanting to urge protnpt
and effective action.
AN APPEAL TO rhRIIEs,
Both the great political parties now rep.
resented in the government have by repeat.
ed and authorative declarations condemn.
ed the condition of our laws which permit
the collection from the people of unneces-
sary revenue, and have in the most solemn
manner, promised lis a correction, and
neither as citizens or partisans are our
countrymen in mood to condone the
deliberate violation of these pledges. Our
progress toward n wise conclusion will not
be improved by dwelling upon the theories
N,..,. III.